Cain accuser alleges several incidents

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

One of Herman Cain’s accusers alleged “several incidents of sexual harassment” in a formal complaint more than a decade ago, her lawyer disclosed Friday, a fresh allegation that could complicate the Republican presidential hopeful’s determined bid to lay the politically explosive controversy to rest.

The lawyer, Joel Bennett, said his client — married then and now — accepted a financial settlement in leaving her job at the National Restaurant Association shortly after lodging the complaint against Cain, who was then the trade group’s head. Bennett did not name the woman, who he said stands by her allegations and has decided not “to relive the specifics” of the incidents in a public forum.

Cain, who tried to return to normal campaigning Friday, repeatedly has denied ever sexually harassing anyone. His spokesman, J.D. Gordon, said in response to Bennett’s comments, “We’re looking to put this issue behind us and focus on the real issues, which are fixing this broken economy, putting Americans back to work and strengthening national security.”

In a statement late in the day, Dawn Sweeney, the trade group’s current CEO, said Cain had disputed the allegations at the time they were made. She also said the organization was willing to waive a confidentiality agreement the woman signed when she left her job.